GB2568618A

GB2568618A - Floor cleaning apparatus with removably attachable radial whiskers

Info

Publication number: GB2568618A
Application number: GB1902295.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bennett Jethro; Schultheis Tom
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-03-20
Filing date: 2014-09-24
Publication date: 2019-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-24
Also published as: GB2524347A; GB2565669A; GB201813518D0; GB2524347B; GB2565669B; GB201817065D0; GB201820768D0; GB2568618B; GB2564974A; GB201905679D0; GB2566851A; GB201908948D0; GB201902295D0; GB2566851B; GB2564974B; GB201416877D0

Abstract

A floor steam cleaning apparatus 10 comprises a head 14 with a steamer element for cleaning of a ground surface and a removable cleaning element that includes left and right brushing portions 23 arranged on the left and right sides of the head 14; the removable cleaning element does not have a central brushing portion. The left and right 23 brushing portions may extend higher than the top surface of the head and/or higher than the left and right sides of the head.

Description

Floor Cleaning Apparatus With Removably Attachable Radial Whiskers

Kitchen floor steamers are floor cleaning apparatuses that have a steaming element to clean a kitchen floor (or any ground surface). They tend to have an internal fluid reservoir that can be heated, with steam outputted from a downward facing cleaning element on a base of the apparatus (on an underside of a head of the apparatus). Thus they have a downward facing cleaning element comprising a steam cleaning element. They often utilize a micro-fibre cloth (or the like) appended to an underside of the head to clean the ground surface, which works in conjunction with outputted steam to facilitate cleaning of the ground surface.

They have a handle for the user to hold when the user is in a standing position, and the handle tends to have a holdable portion (holdable by the user) operable significantly above height of the head of the apparatus. (Some such apparatuses have handles that can be angled substantially parallel to the ground to facilitate access under cabinets, etc. Nevertheless, when the handle is positioned in its usual position for ground cleaning, it is operable significantly above height of the head of the apparatus).

Floor steamers of such a type tend to be well modified to steam clean floors, but one area they are not modified to clean is toe-kicks. Toe-kicks are the space under kitchen cabinets and units (particularly in kitchens but may be present in other locations) where a substantially square or rectangular space is formed to allow a person space to place their feet under the units. Toe-kicks tend to be present in every kitchen space.

A large amount of dust, debris, and grime can collect in the toe-kicks over any mount of time; if a person in a kitchen drops an open container containing fluid-based food (such as a ketchup bottle), on hitting the floor, it splatters and frequently will splatter into the toe-kick if it is dropped in its vicinity. The person is often left unaware of the grime and food that it leaves on the surface(s) of the toe-kick.

Other grime and dirt can accumulate over time, since toe-kick surfaces are often not engaged for cleaning. Creatures such as spiders (creating cobwebs, particularly in a corner of the toe kick) may inhabit the toe-kick. These may produce waste, and may die, leaving unhygienic and unwanted remains.

Steam cleaners are good at cleaning the floor, but are not modified to clean (preferably by steam) the toe kick.

It would be desirable if the steam cleaner comprised a cleaning element that could clean sideways, diagonally, and upwardly into the toe kick. Furthermore, it would be desirable if the cleaning element could be removed. This could facilitate washing of the cleaning element and/or replacing the cleaning element with a new cleaning element.

It will be obvious that such a solution would not be limited only to floor steaming apparatuses, and may be provided for any floor cleaning apparatus, such as broom, vacuum cleaner, etc. A canister vacuum cleaner with wand head, for example, could benefit from such modification to engage and clean added extraneous surfaces, not at all limited to toe kicks.

Thus there is provided, according to a first aspect of the invention, a floor cleaning apparatus, comprising: a head, the head having a downward facing cleaning element for cleaning of a ground surface; a left lateral radial whisker about a left lateral side of the head; and a right lateral radial whisker about a right lateral side of the head; wherein at least a portion or a whole of each radial whisker is removably attachable.

Preferably the floor cleaning apparatus further comprises a handle, and more preferably it is a floor steam cleaning apparatus. However, if the apparatus is a robotic (substantially automated) cleaning device, it may not comprise a handle.

The floor cleaning apparatus may be any floor cleaning apparatus, such as vacuum cleaner, broom, etc and is most preferably a floor steam cleaner or a canister vacuum cleaner with wand head. A kitchen floor steamer has particular viability for such modification as it, by nature, cleans in a vicinity of toe kicks. Wand head canister vacuum cleaners may also significantly benefit from having radial whiskers, as the head can be tilted easily to engage many peripheral surfaces, such as tops of skirting boards, etc.

Preferably the whole radial whisker is removably attachable, but it is feasible only a portion (such as an engaging portion that engages a surface to be cleaned) may be removably attachable.

Preferably the radial whiskers project outwardly outside the perimeter of the head of the apparatus.

The cleaning element comprises a brush element. The brush element may be any material for engaging a surface, such as foam, sponge, bristles, or any other material.

Preferably the radial whiskers are significantly and resiliently deformable. They may comprise a substantially micro-fibre type engagement surface.

Preferable and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 30 inclusive.

The invention will now be more particularly described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only and in no way limiting a scope of the invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a front-on view of a floor cleaning apparatus with radial whiskers;

Figure 2 is a front-on view of a same or similar embodiment of the invention as Fig. 1, wherein the radial whiskers are shown to be removably attachable;

Figure 3 is a close-up view of a preferred embodiment of a radial whisker;

Figure 4 shows the radial whiskers with spine elements;

Figure 5 is a front view of the radial whiskers where there is provided a spine element conjoining the radial whiskers, curved at its lateral ends;

Figure 6 is a front view of a similar embodiment to Figure 5, wherein the spine element is straight;

Figure 7 is a side-on view of a radial whisker where there is provided an attachment aperture to facilitate attachment of the radial whisker to the apparatus;

Figure 8 shows an embodiment where the radial whiskers comprise a stabilizing member;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a robotic embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a side-on perspective view of a spheroidal cleaning element;

Figure 11 is a side-on perspective view of the same cleaning element of Figure 10, wherein the spine element of the cleaning element is rounded;

Figure 12 is a front view of an attachment mechanism and/or means for attaching the cleaning element of Figures 10 and 11 to the head of an apparatus;

Figure 13 is a side-on view of the attachment mechanism and/or means of Figure 12;

Figure 14 shows the embodiment of Figure 13 with the cleaning element attached;

Figure 15 shows the embodiment of Figure 14 from a top perspective view, with particular reference to curvature of a flexible spine;

Figure 16 is a front, eye-level view of a robotic embodiment of the invention;

Figure 17 is a birds-eye view of the robotic embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig. 16.

Figure 18 is a birds-eye view of an alternate robotic embodiment of the invention;

Figure 19 is a front-on view of the invention, wherein the floor cleaning apparatus is a steaming device;

Figure 20 is an eye-level front on view of a robotic embodiment of the invention,where the radial whiskers clean upwardly and outwardly outside a circumference of the head of the apparatus; and

Figure 21 is an eye-level front on view of a similar embodiment to Fig. 20, where the radial whiskers 23 are positioned inside a circumference of the head of the apparatus, brush element of the radial whiskers not extending outside a circumference of the head of the apparatus.

Figure 22 is a front view of the invention where it is a floor steaming apparatus with radial whiskers;

Figure 23 is a front depiction of the floor steaming apparatus wherein one radial whisker is engaging and cleaning a toe kick;

Figure 24 is a front view showing a first depiction (Part A) of the radial whiskers attached to the head of the apparatus, and a second depiction (Part B) of the radial whiskers removed, and also showing an attachment means for removably attaching the radial whiskers;

Figure 25 is a transparented side view of embodiments of radial whiskers which comprise ribbing that is substantially horizontal (and/or longitudinal/rainbow-shaped);

Figure 26 is a transparented side view of embodiments of radial whiskers which comprise ribbing that is substantially vertical;

Figure 27 is a depiction showing how a substantially rectangular or square cleaning element cut can take on a curved radial shape;

Figure 28 shows a central ribbing element providing structural integrity to a radial whisker;

Figure 29 is a front transparented view of three embodiments of radial whiskers; one where the radial whisker comprises raised peaks (Part A); one where the radial whisker comprises a spike (Part B); and one where the radial whisker is layered; and

Figure 30 is a representation of two embodiments of the radial whisker where engaging surface of the radial whisker is broken up into parts.

As shown in Fig. 1, the floor cleaning apparatus may have radial whiskers 23 alone (no central portion), thus comprising a head 14; a downward facing cleaning element 16 on the head 14 for cleaning of a ground surface; a first radial whisker 23 on a lateral side of the head 14; and a second radial whisker 23 on an opposing lateral side of the head 14.

Fig. 1 shows such an embodiment, with a first left radial whisker 23 protruding from one lateral side of the head 14, protruding upward and outward from the head 14, thus being able to clean outwardly outside a dimension of the head 14, and diagonally upwardly up and outside a dimension of the head 14. There is also provided a similar or identical right radial whisker 23 on an opposing lateral side of the head 14.

The radial whisker(s) 23 may be removably attachable (and thus replaceable) as shown in Fig. 2.

Preferably the radial whisker 23 extends (and is therefore able to clean) substantially sidewardly to 90 degrees, and extends substantially vertically upwardly from the head 14 (and most preferably substantially at all angles in between). Such a preferred embodiment of the (or a) radial whisker 23 is shown in Fig. 3. The shown radial whisker 23 is configured (and has brush element) so that it can clean:

outwardly substantially sideways to an angle of substantially 90 degrees (denoted by arrowed line 301) diagonally (upwardly and outwardly) (denoted by arrowed line 401) and substantially vertically upwardly (denoted by arrowed line 501).

As shown in Fig. 4, the radial whisker(s) 23 may have a spine element 240, which may be a flexible spine 26 (in which case the head 14 of the apparatus 10 may comprise a hold and curve system for receiving, holding, and curving the flexible spine 26, which hold and curve system may, for example, be a receiving channel configured to receive and bend the flexible spine, thus forming the radial curvature of the radial whisker 23 brush elemen)t, or, for example, the spine element 240 may be a rigid curved spine 72', in which case there may be provided an attachment mechanism (which may be any attachment means under the sun) for attaching and/or clipping the radial whisker 23 onto the head 14 of the apparatus 10 (and most preferably on top a lateral side of the head 14 of the apparatus 10) so that the radial whisker 23 extends outwardly (and preferably also substantially upwardly) from the head 14 of the apparatus 10, thus being able to engage surfaces (and thus clean) substantially upwardly and outwardly from the head 14 of the cleaning apparatus.

The radial whisker(s) may have any spine element 240, such as a base plate, etc, which need not be linear and thin and may be wide and broad, and may be of any shape and dimension. The brush element of the radial whisker 23 may be spheroidal, thus having a greater surface area for engagement (and thus cleaning) of surfaces. The brush element of the radial whisker 23 may comprise any material, for example bristles, hairs, foam. Thus it may comprise any material for brushing.

As shown in Fig. 5, there may be provided a spine element 240' conjoining two opposing radial whiskers 23. The spine element 240' may, for example, be a flexible spine 26, in which case the apparatus may comprise a hold and curve system for receiving, holding, and curving the flexible spine at its lateral ends 28, which may, for example, be a receiving channel configured to receive and bend the flexible spine at its lateral ends 28, thus forming the radial curvature of the radial whiskers' 23 brush elements). The spine element 240' may be a rigid curved spine 72', which may, for example, be metallic, or plastic, and curved at its lateral ends 28, thus forming the radial curvature of the radial whiskers' brush elements. In such an embodiment, there may be provided a clipping mechanism 78 (or any attachment mechanism), where the spine element 240' can be clipped into the head 14 of the apparatus 10 (preferably removably attachably), thus holding it. Preferably the spine 240' (and thus the radial whiskers 23) can be unclipped (and thus removed/replaced), allowing for a new set of radial whiskers with a spine element conjoining the two opposing radial whiskers to be attached to the head 14 of the apparatus 10. Thus for this, or any other, embodiment, the radial whiskers 23 may be removably attachable and replaceable.

In such an embodiment where the spine element 240' can be clipped into (or onto) the head of the apparatus, it is feasible there is provided a placement cavity and/or channel in the head 14 that the spine element 240' can clip into, thus holding the spine element 240' (and thus holding the radial whiskers 23). In such an embodiment, the spine element 240' may thus not protrude from the head 14 of the apparatus 10, but may be held within it, which may be preferable to better hold the spine element 240' and prevent the spine element engaging and contacting surfaces for cleaning. Such a placement cavity and/or channel may have clip(s) 78 in or about the cavity and/or channel so that the spine element 240' can be clipped into the cavity and/or channel, thus being held. The clip(s) 78 may, for example, be substantially circular. The clip(s) 78 may be resiliently flexible in order to resiliently open to receive the spine element 240', and resiliently close to hold the spine element 240'. There may be provided an unclipping mechanism on the head 14 of the apparatus 10, which may be a manual unclipping mechanism such as a switch, etc, which may facilitate unclipping of the spine element 240' (and thus removal of the radial whisker(s) 23) from the head 14 of the apparatus 10. Such a system may also be used for an embodiment where the radial whiskers 23 have separate (and shorter) spine element(s), (as shown in Fig. 4), in which case, there may, for example, be provided a placement cavity and/or channel on each lateral end of the head 14 for each radial whisker 23 spine element 240, and a clip 78 at each lateral end of the head 14 for each spine element 240 of the radial whiskers 23. Such an embodiment may have a placement cavity and/or channel for each radial whisker 23, or may have one placement cavity and/or channel along a length of the head 14, with a clip 78 (or other attachment mechanism for attaching the radial whisker 23.

There is shown in Fig. 6, an embodiment where the spine element 240' conjoining two opposing radial whiskers 23 is straight and not curved. This may be a flexible spine, or may be rigid.

It is feasible in such embodiments that the radial whiskers may be used as a separate handheld cleaning tool. There may be provided a base for the radial whiskers 23, similarly as aforementioned, described and stated for an upward and radial cleaning element. Any spine or base for a radial whisker(s) 23 may be of any dimensions, shape, proportions, broadness.

There is shown in Fig. 7 a side-on view of a feasible embodiment of the radial whisker 23, where there is provided an attachment ringlet 242 for the radial whisker(s) 23. The radial whisker 23, in the shown embodiment, has a flexible spine. Attached to (or part of, or in any way used and/or provided in conjunction with) the flexible spine is an attachment aperture 242 (which is preferably a ringlet and/or a ringlet shape), which may be an aperture 242 that runs along a length of the spine (for example, it may comprise fabric material with an aperture 242 through the fabric material, similar to how curtains that are for fitting on a rod often have an aperture that runs along a length of one end of the curtain- thus allowing the curtain to be threaded onto the rod). In varying embodiments, the aperture 242 may be an aperture 242 in the spine element 240, 240'.

In such an embodiment, there may be provided an attachment rod (preferably within a channel) on a lateral side(s) of the head 14 of the apparatus 10- preferably on each lateral side of the head 14 of the apparatus 10, each lateral side thus having a channel, with an attachment rod in the channel, so that the attachment aperture 242 (which is preferably an attachment ringlet aperture 242) of the (or each) radial whisker(s) 23 can be threaded onto the attachment rod. The attachment rod may be plastic or any material, and is preferably curved at a most lateral end of the head 14 of the apparatus 10, so that the radial whisker spine element 240, in being threaded onto the rod via the attachment aperture 242 (which is preferably an attachment ringlet aperture 242) is curved, thus forming the radial curvature of the radial whisker brush element. Thus the radial whisker 23 may be threaded onto the rod via the attachment aperture 242 (which is preferably an attachment ringlet aperture 242), preferably placed and shaped for substantially sideways and upwards cleaning, as shown for radial whiskers 23 in Fig. 29.

As shown in Fig. 8, the radial whiskers 23 brush element may comprise a stabilising member 130, which may, for example, be foam, sponge-type material and the like (dotted circles 244 shown in the stabilizing member 130 are used to artistically denote that the stabilising member may be foam, sponge, etc and the like). This may aid stabilisation if fine hairs, bristles, etc are used for the top portion 131 of the radial whisker 23. Foam, sponge, etc may be useful for use as the stabilising member due to flexible characteristics of such materials; thus the stabilizing member 130 may be resiliently flexible and/or displaceable so that it does not block the head 14 of the apparatus 10 when it (the stabilizing member 130) engages a surface, but instead is resiliently displaced, allowing the head 14 (and thus the radial whiskers 23) to gain access to further areas for cleaning. Such a configuration may allow for particularly fine hairs, or any particularly fine brush element to be used for the top portion 131 of the radial whisker(s) 23, which may otherwise lose their shape, cleaning effectiveness, etc if a stabilizing member 130 was not provided.

If there is provided a stabilizing member 130 and/or the radial whisker comprises a stabilizing member 130 and a top portion 131 (which may comprise fine hairs, etc), the top portion 131 may, for example, be embedded into the stabilizing member 130 (eg bristles embedded into foam). Alternatively, (or more broadly described), the top portion 131 may be attached and/or attachable to the stabilizing member 130- for example, the top portion 131 may be provided separately (to a user), and may have an adhesive side, for example with a cover to cover the adhesive side (similar to how a band-aid has a cover which can be removed to reveal an adhesive side). The cover may then be removed to reveal the adhesive side, which adhesive side may then be applied to the stabilizing memberl30 so that the top portion 131 is adhered and/or attached to the stabilizing member 130. Any attachment mechanism and/or means may be used. For example, a hook and loop (eg Velcro) attachment means may be provided to facilitate attachment of the top portion 131 to the stabilizing member 130 in such embodiments. The stabilizing member may be permanently (or substantially permanently) attached to the head of the apparatus, or may be removably attachable.

The radial whisker(s) 23 may be of any size, length, depth, girth, and may be provided for any floor cleaning apparatus, such as robotic cleaning devices, which may be robotic vacuum cleaners.

There is shown in Fig. 9 a robotic (for example, automated) floor cleaning apparatus 10, which has a head 14 (which typically holds circuitry, electronics, etc inside), and has a downward facing cleaning element 16, which is preferably a vacuum suction downward facing cleaning element 16 (dashed arrow denotes downward facing cleaning element 16 is not visible from the shown angle). The robotic floor cleaning apparatus 10 has two upward and radial cleaning elements 18, each element 18 having a substantially upstanding central portion 20 (configured primarily for substantially upward cleaning), and a radially outwardly projecting side portion 22 (configured primarily for substantially upward and outward cleaning from the head 14 of the apparatus 10). In the shown embodiment, the shape of the cleaning elements 18 is achieved via a flexible spine 26, the spine 26 secured and held in the head of the robotic floor cleaning apparatus 10 in such a way that the cleaning element 18 extends upwardly (and slightly outwardly) from a circumferential rim 248 of the head 14 of the robotic floor cleaning apparatus. The flexible spine 26 is trapped in the rim 248, and is then curved round downwardly onto a side surface 250 of the head 14, thus forming the radial outwardly projecting side portions 22 of the cleaning elements 18.

Use of a flexible spine 26 is provided by way of example only. There are many ways to achieve such a result as will be obvious to those with skill in the art, such as (substantially) rigid curved spine, base plate, etc, which may be pre-shaped and thus not require, or not significantly require, manipulation.

However, due to the design/shape of the apparatus head 14, each upward and radial cleaning element 18 may also be said to be (and/or defined as) a radial whisker 23, since there is a central gap between the two cleaning elements 18, and the cleaning elements 18 both clean outwardly (thus performing function of a radial whisker 23). Direction the robotic floor cleaning apparatus 10 is travelling is denoted by enlarged arrow and number 252(such robotic floor cleaning apparatuses typically tend to move in only one direction, and rotate if they need to move in an alternate direction). Thus from a front view and viewed at eye-level, the cleaning elements 18, the cleaning elements may be said to be radial whiskers

23.

As stated, in the shown example, the robotic floor cleaning apparatus 10 is travelling in direction 252, and is located under a chair, which has shown chair legs 246. Right cleaning element 18 of the floor cleaning apparatus 10 has engaged a chair leg 246, resultant in a portion of the cleaning element 18 being displaced, creating a bowed portion 192 (which may also be described as a 'displaced portion' 192). Nevertheless, the cleaning element 18 in the shown example is resiliently displaceable and has a capacity to resiliently return to an original position once engagement ceases.

There is shown in Fig. 10 a cleaning element having a forwardly angled curved face 220, thus being substantially spheroidal. There is provided a spine element, which may be a flexible spine 26, a base 72, a base plate, or any other spine element, and for the present example (shown by way of example only) may be a flexible spine 26 made of foam.

A similar such cleaning element 18 is shown in Fig. 11, where the spine is rotunded (rounded). The same cleaning element 18 is shown in Fig. 12 from a back view. There are provided ringlets 41 at lateral ends 28 of the flexible spine 26 (which in the shown example may be a flexible foam spine). At each lateral end of the head 14 of the floor cleaning apparatus 10 are provided attaching barbs 36, which in the shown example comprise a protruding shaft 38 and a shaped head 40. Intent is for the ringlets 41 to be secured over the attaching barbs 36, attaching barbs thus being provided as constraining elements 30 for the flexible spine 26.

The attachment means shown is shown by way of example only, and any attachment mechanism and/or means under the sun may be used, such as, for example, hook and loop (Velcro-type) solutions, etc, or any other method.

As will be shown, intent is to wrap the flexible spine 26 around the head 14 of the apparatus 10 from a front position, thus creating a substantially upstanding central portion 20 and radial outward portions 22.

Thus there is shown in Fig. 13 the same cleaning element 18 prior to being applied/attached to the head 14 of the floor cleaning apparatus 10. An arrow from the flexible spine 26 denotes that the, preferably foam, flexible spine is intended for application into a guide cavity 258 (which could also be defined as a placement cavity 134 or a channel, receiving channel 52). The guide cavity is slightly rotunded (rounded) thus shaped to receive the rotunded flexible spine 26 of the cleaning element, although the guide cavity 258 and spine 26 of the cleaning element may be of any shape, size, dimension, etc. The cleaning element may be removably attachable and thus replaceable.

The guide cavity 258 has a front receiving portion 254 and a side receiving portion 256. In the shown example, there is provided an attaching barb 36 to constrain the flexible spine 26 in place. Intent is that the spine 26 of the cleaning element 18 is constrained, the ringlets 41 looping over and held on the attaching barb 36, the guide cavity 258 helping guarantee correct positioning and holding of the cleaning element. The attachment mechanism is shown by way of example only, and any attachment means under the sun may be provided. The apparatus 10 is shown in the example with use for a wand head for a vacuum canister cleaner, however, the apparatus may be any floor cleaning apparatus, for example a robotic apparatus, etc.

Because the guide cavity 258 has a front receiving portion 254, and a side receiving portion 256, when attached to the head 14 of the apparatus 10, the example cleaning element 18 cleans forwardly, upwardly, and outwardly from the head of the apparatus 10.

There is shown in Fig. 14 (from a same side view as Fig. 13) the cleaning element 18 attached to the head of the apparatus 10 via the attaching barb 36. The ringlet 41 has been hooked over the attaching barb 36. The flexible spine 26 has been wrapped around the head 14 of the apparatus, and thus the cleaning element now extends forwardly and upwardly from a front of the head of the apparatus (ie from the front receiving portion 254 of the guide cavity 258), and extends outwardly and upwardly from a side of the head 14 (ie from the side receiving portion 254 of the guide cavity 258), and also extends in a plurality of angles in between. It is feasible, rather than being received into a cavity/channel, that the cleaning element is clipped or attached about or outside of the head of the apparatus. This may be achieved, for example, via a clipping mechanism, or any other attachment means.

Result of this method for achieving upward and radial cleaning for a floor cleaning apparatus is best shown in Fig. 15. The brush element of the cleaning element is not shown for clarity of the positioning of the flexible spine 26. However, substantially upstanding central portion 20 and radial side portions 22 of the cleaning element 18 are still denoted despite absence of the brush element in the drawing.

The flexible spine 26 is shown held substantially straightly to a front of the head 14 of the apparatus 10, and having curved lateral ends 28 as it is curved round the head 14 of the apparatus 10, constrained by the attaching barbs 36 at each lateral end of the head, over which is looped the ringlets 41. Thus radially outwardly projecting side portions 22 are formed. A benefit of the shown example embodiment is that the head of the apparatus is fully visible to a user. In varying embodiments, the cleaning element may not have a spine, may be embedded directly (or substantially directly) into the head 14 of the apparatus 10, may be provided with a base, may comprise a stabilizing element (such as foam, sponge), etc. Preferably the cleaning element 18 is removably attachable, and thus replaceable. The cleaning element may simply comprise two radial side portions without a central portion, similar or the same to the embodiment as shown in Fig. 15.

There is shown in Fig. 16 a front on view of an embodiment of a robotic floor cleaning apparatus 10 where there are provided two longitudinal circumferential radial wing cleaning elements 260. (The radial wings 260 may also feasibly be defined as radial whiskers 23). The same embodiment is shown in a birds-eye view in Fig. 17, where the longitudinal length of the circumferential radial wings 260 is shown. (Direction of movement of the robotic apparatus is denoted by enlarged arrow 262).

Such embodiments may employ non-removable cleaning elements 18, or removably attachable cleaning elements 18. The circumferential radial cleaning wings 260 may be spheroidal, as shown in Fig. 16, having a rounded curved face, or may not be spheroidal. Such embodiments may utilize curvature of the head of the apparatus to achieve curvature of the cleaning element 18 (as shown, for example, (and in no way limiting how to use curvature of the head of the apparatus to achieve curvature of the cleaning element 18), in Fig. 15. The cleaning elements may feasibly have a floppy base and may be attachable by hook and loop type securing elements, such as, but not limited to, Velcro, or any other attachment means and/or method.

The radial wing cleaning elements 18, 260 in varying embodiments may be embedded into the head of the apparatus, may comprise a spine, may comprise a base plate, may comprise a stabilising member, etc. This circumferential method for providing the cleaning elements 18 is not limited to use for robotic floor cleaning apparatuses and may be provided for any floor cleaning apparatus. The radial wings 260 may comprise a flexible spine to aid application and/or attachment of the radial wing to the apparatus, and/or to aid shaping of the radial wing 260. The radial wing 260 may have a base, spine, etc, which may, for example, be rigid and pre-shaped for application to the head 14 of the apparatus.

There is shown in Fig. 18 from a birds-eye view an embodiment of a robotic floor cleaning apparatus 10 where there is provided a front circumferential radial wing 260. (Direction of movement of the robotic apparatus is denoted by enlarged arrow 264).

(Cleaning elements are shaded for added emphasis, and not necessarily to denote directions on bristles etc of the cleaning element, although if the cleaning element comprises bristles, the bristles may radiate outwardly. The cleaning element need not have bristles and may employ any material, as aforestated).

Thus there is provided in the shown embodiment of Fig. 18 solely one circumferential radial wing, which, being positioned at a front of the head of the apparatus (with reference to directional movement of the apparatus) may carry out upward and radial cleaning. The cleaning element may be spheroidal, or may not be- for example, the cleaning element 18 may, in a substantially narrow manner, extend from a circumferential rim 248 of the head of the apparatus (preferably extending upwardly and slightly forwardly). The example embodiment is shown with reference to a robotic floor cleaning apparatus 10, but may similarly be provided for any floor cleaning apparatus.

In the shown example embodiment (or any other embodiment of the invention), the cleaning element 18 may comprise a stabilising member 130. A top portion 131 of the cleaning element 18 may be (removably) attachable to the stabilizing member 130, via any means. For example fine hairs (or any brush element for brushing- for example, fur (filaments), hair, etc) may be attachable to the stabilizing member via, for example, a hook and loop (eg Velcro-type) element(s).

There is shown in Fig. 19 an embodiment of the invention where there is provided a floor cleaning apparatus 10 that is a floor steamer, the floor cleaning apparatus comprising a head, a downward facing cleaning element for cleaning of a ground surface, a first radial whisker 23 on a lateral side of the head 14, and a second radial whisker 23 on an opposing lateral side of the head 14. There is shown in the example embodiment a water reservoir chamber 266, a settings dial 268, and a manual switch 270, which may be used for releasing part of the handle 12 from the apparatus, or to aid use of the steamer when separated from the head of the apparatus. For the shown example, the radial whisker 23 is not spheroidal (or substantially not spheroidal). Nevertheless, it cleans diagonally (upwardly and outwardly). Such radial whiskers 23 may be employed on any floor cleaning apparatus. The radial whiskers may be non-removable (for example embedded permanently (or substantially permanently) into (or about) the head 14 of the floor cleaning apparatus 10; the radial whiskers may be removably attachable, and thus replaceable. A plurality of radial whiskers may be provided for replacement reasons. Differing types, colours, sizes, shapes, and constitution (ie differing materials, etc) of radial whiskers may be provided for cleaning of different surfaces, locations, etc.

There is shown in Fig. 20 an example of a robotic floor cleaning apparatus 10 with radial whiskers similar or the same to those shown in Fig. 19, where the radial whiskers clean upwardly and outwardly outside a circumference of the head of the apparatus.

There is shown in Fig. 21 an example of a robotic floor cleaning apparatus 10 with radial whiskers similar or the same to those shown in Fig. 19, where the radial whiskers 23 are positioned inside a circumference of the head of the apparatus, brush element of the radial whiskers not extending outside a circumference of the head of the apparatus.

The example embodiments shown in Fig. 20 and Fig. 21 are not limited to use with a robotic floor cleaning apparatus and may be employed and/or provided for any floor cleaning apparatus.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Description Of A Particularly Preferred Embodiment

With regard to Figures 22 to 30 (and now particularly referring to Figs. 22 to 24), and particularly to an invention with regard to removably attachable radial whiskers, there is provided: a floor cleaning apparatus 10, comprising: a head 14, the head 14 having a downward facing cleaning element 16 for cleaning of a ground surface 1000; a left lateral radial whisker 23 about a left lateral side of the head 14; and a right lateral radial whisker 23 about a right lateral side of the head 14; wherein at least a portion or a whole of each radial whisker 23 is removably attachable.

The radial whiskers 23 are afforded all the preferable and/or optional features of the cleaning element(s) as hereinbefore described (such as having a top portion, stabilizing member, being spheroidal, etc, and all other optional and/or preferable features). Preferably the radial whiskers 23 are radial substantially to 90 degrees, and may in fact be radial beyond 90 degrees, so that they clean downwardly beyond 90 degrees from a side of the head (as well as preferably all of: upwardly, diagonally upward, and sidewardly).

Preferably the radial whiskers 23, as shown, are the only upward cleaning elements about the head 14 of the apparatus 10. Preferably the radial whiskers 23 are the only sideward cleaning elements about the head of the apparatus. Preferably, aside from the downward facing cleaning element 16 for cleaning a ground surface, the radial whiskers 23 are the only cleaning elements about the head of the apparatus.

There may be other sideward and/or upward cleaning elements on the head of the apparatus. If there are other sideward and/or upward cleaning element(s) on the head, preferably the at least a portion or a whole of the or each radial whiskers are removably attachable from the head 14 independently from the said other cleaning element(s).

(Wherever the radial whiskers are described as removably attachable for the present application, it should also be understood that it is feasible, in certain embodiments, that a portion (rather than necessarily a whole of) the radial whiskers may be removably attachable). For example, top portion only of the radial whiskers may be removably attachable.

It is feasible there are minor other cleaning elements on the head of the apparatus (there may, for example, be a very small (and perhaps clearly not as effective) low lying brush on the head of the apparatus. However, if the radial whiskers are any of: the dominant feature with regard to upward or sideways cleaning elements; clearly the most effective upward or sideways cleaning elements; the only significantly extending upwards or sideways cleaning elements from the head, then it may be said (and claimed), that the radial whiskers are 'substantially the only upward or sideways cleaning elements on the head of the apparatus’.

Preferably, as shown, the radial whiskers 23 protrude from the head 14 of the apparatus 10 in a whisker-like fashion, as whiskers extend from a side of a face. This can add great character to the apparatus, as well as being extremely functionally effective at cleaning.

Brush element of the radial whiskers 23 may be any material for engaging a surface for cleaning. Most preferably, the radial whiskers 23 may comprise an engaging portion (ie part of the radial whiskers that engages a surface for cleaning), which may comprise cloth type material (which will now be referred to simply as cloth), or micro-fibre, for example. If the radial whiskers 23 have a substantially large top surface engagement portion, cloth and/or micro-fibre may be particularly useful for cleaning, and for containing dirt that is removed from an engaged surface.

As aforestated, it is feasible only a top portion 131 of the radial whiskers 13 is removably attachable (or that both top portion 131 and rest of radial whiskers are removably attachable). The radial whiskers 23 may comprise a stabilizing member 130, which may facilitate stabilization of a fine brush element if a fine brush element is used as the top portion 131.

Preferably the radial whiskers 23, once dirtied, can be removed (a portion or a whole of) and replaced with new radial whiskers (a portion or a whole of). (The radial whiskers 23 (portion or a whole of) may feasibly be removably attachable separately, or together). This may produce added sales for further radial whiskers (a portion or a whole of), which may be purchasable separately.

However, it is also feasible that the portion or a whole of the radial whiskers 23 is machine washable, so that it can be removed, washed, and replaced. It will be obvious that certain types of micro-fibre, cloth, and the like allow for machine washability. In such an embodiment, user may save money on having to buy further cleaning elements once a portion or a whole of the radial whisker is dirtied.

Preferably the radial whiskers are independently removable.

Preferably the radial whiskers are light-coloured (eg white, light green, light red, etc). This may be important for several reasons: particularly if the surface engagement area of the radial whiskers is large and is, for example, micro-fibre, cloth, and/or the like, it may be important or useful for a user to be able to visibly see that dirt has been captured and contained on and/or by the brush element. This itself may be important, firstly so that the user knows that the apparatus is cleaning in an effective and beneficial manner, and secondly so that they know when to remove and replace the radial whiskers (portion or a whole of).

Thus, light-colouredness should not be seen as 'presentation of information’ (although it may be beneficial for appearance of the apparatus), because it may be highly important, particularly with reference to user interface and guidance for a user as to when to remove and wash or replace. (It should be noted that most brush cleaning elements for cleaning apparatuses (and particularly upward and/or radial cleaning elements for floor cleaning apparatuses) tend to be black or very dark coloured, since they are not intended to perform function (or have user-interface capacity and/or benefits) of the present invention. Thus light-colouredness of the radial whiskers 23 may be a differentiating factor between the present invention, and other potentially similar inventions.

Preferably green (which may also be blue) radial whiskers are provided for regular household cleaning, and red (which may also be pink) radial whiskers are provided for bathroom use, the radial whiskers preferably being removably attachable for the user so that they can interchange between the one and the other colour(s). In this way, a user can hygienically differentiate between use in bathroom areas, and a rest of a house.

As aforestated, the radial whiskers may comprise a spine element (which may be straight and rigid, rigid and curved, flexible, made of foam, a base plate, a curved base plate, etc, or any other spine element). The spine element may aid shaping of the radial whisker 23.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 comprises a handle 12, but it may feasible be a robotic device which may not have a handle 12.

Preferably (as seen in a multitude of Figures), the radial whiskers extend laterally outside a perimeter of the head 14 of the apparatus, and can therefore clean (preferably upwardly, upwardly diagonally, and sidewardsly, and even feasibly extending beyond 90 degrees to clean sidewardsly downwardly) from the head 14.

However, it is feasible (as seen in Fig. 21) the radial whiskers 23 are positioned inside a circumference of the head 14 of the apparatus 10, brush element of the radial whiskers 23 not extending outside a circumference of the head 14 of the apparatus 10.

With regard to Figs. 22, 23, 24, the invention is shown where the apparatus 10 is a floor steaming apparatus. However, the apparatus may be any floor cleaning apparatus.

Such floor steaming apparatuses (and many other floor cleaning apparatuses of all sorts), often have a handle 12 connected to the head 14, via a neck 15 (shown in Fig. 22).

In a case of a floor steam cleaning apparatus as shown in the said Figures, often there is provided a micro-fibre 602 (or the like) element for placing under the head 14 of the apparatus, which typically works in conjunction with the floor steam cleaning element.

Such floor cleaning apparatuses tend to have an internal fluid reservoir 266 (typically located around mid trunk of the handle, between a holding portion of the handle where the handle is held by the user, and the head 14. There is also shown a settings dial 268. The fluid reservoir is typically filled with water by a user to facilitate steam cleaning of a ground surface.

Such floor steamer apparatuses typically have an internal heating system (which tends to comprise a heating element to heat fluid (usually water) inside the apparatus). The heating element may be located inside the fluid reservoir. Many such apparatuses are mains powered, and therefore often comprise a lead with a plug to plug into a mains power supply.

Some floor steamer apparatuses, as shown, are configured so that the fluid reservoir is removably attachable as a separate handheld steamer unit 604. Such a separate handheld steamer unit is shown in Fig. 22, where the removably attachable handheld steamer unit 604 portion is denoted (with dashed arrow) to be removable and feasibly usable separately.

There can be seen a spray outlet 606 for the removably attachable handheld steamer unit 604, and, by way of representation, spray 607 can be seen emanating from the unit 604.

The removably attachable handheld steamer unit 604 may be used when removed to steam surfaces (such as a toe kick 210) to be engaged and cleaned by the radial whiskers 23, thus greatly enhancing cleaning effiectiveness of the radial whiskers.

This is just one embodiment of a floor cleaning apparatus 10, in no way limiting a scope of the invention, although it is thought radial whiskers, wherein a portion or a whole of the radial whiskers are removably attachable, may be particularly beneficial for floor steaming apparatuses.

In Fig. 22, the radial whiskers 23 can be seen on the head 14 of the apparatus 10, each radial whisker extending from the head of the apparatus in whisker-like fashion on an opposing lateral side of the head 14. The whiskers, in the example embodiment, are shown extending upwardly from the head, as well as diagonally upwardly and sidewaysly (substantially to 90 degrees), outside a perimeter of the head 14.

(The radial whiskers 23 are shown with radial extending internal lines simply by way of representation alone, and may, for example, be (or comprise) cloth, foam, etc, or any other material).

In Fig. 23, one of the radial whiskers 23 is shown in action, engaging and cleaning a toe kick 210. The left radial whisker 23 (as from a viewer perspective) is shown engaging the toe kick 210. The radial whisker 23 engages a top surface 218 of the toe kick 210, a corner 214 of the toe kick, and a side surface 216 of the toe kick. In the shown embodiment, the radial whisker 23 is highly deformable and resiliently displaceable. In a preferred embodiment (and with reference to annotations in Fig. 3), the substantially upward facing portion 501 of the radial whisker 23 engages the top surface 218 of the toe kick; the substantially diagonal upward portion 401 of the radial whisker engages the corner 214 of the toe kick; and the substantially sideways facing portion 301 of the radial whisker engages the side surface 216 of the toe kick.

As shown in the shown example embodiment, this can be achieved whilst the downward facing cleaning element 16 (which in the shown embodiment comprises a steam cleaning element) engages and cleans a ground surface 1000.

Referring to Fig. 24, the radial whiskers 23 are represented in a more 3 dimensional aspect (still not necessarily true to exact dimensions, shape, or scale) to give an idea of a preferred embodiment and/or dimensions and/or shape of the radial whiskers 23, where they are significantly thick in girth (and preferably have an engaging surface 608 of cloth, micro-fibre, or the like (although it is feasibly they may comprise any material for engaging a surface),

The removability of the radial whiskers is depicted via a Part A of the Figure, and a Part B of the Figure. In Part A, the radial whiskers 23 are seen attached on opposing lateral sides of the head 14 of the apparatus. In part B, a view is provided where the radial whiskers 23 have been removed from the head 14.

(In Part A, the left (from viewer perspective) radial whisker has been shaded with lines, simply to aid viewer understanding of the dimensions and shape of the shown example radial whiskers 23).

In the shown preferred embodiment, the radial whiskers 23 can be seen having an engaging surface 608 (which is preferably substantially solid (and/or curved, flat), and preferably radially flat, for engaging a surface to be cleaned). They are also shown having a front surface 610 (from a viewer perspective, facing frontways as viewed from the shown front view), and a back surface 612 (not viewable from a front view as shown in Fig. 24), facing backwards with regard to the head. They are also shown having a substantially downward facing surface 614 (facing substantially downward toward a ground surface- although this surface may be angled either up or down from the ground surface), and a substantially inner side surface 616, substantially facing in toward the head 14 of the apparatus 10. (Only the right radial whisker in part B of Fig. 24 as well as Part A of Fig. 25 has these parts numbered in order to retain clarity of the other drawings/radial whiskers).

There is also shown, in the shown preferred embodiment, for the right radial whisker 23 labelled in Part B of Fig. 24 an attaching engagement surface 618 (which in the shown example is substantially rectangular in shape, but may also be substantially square in shape (or any other shape)). The attaching engagement surface 618, in the shown example embodiment, is intended to engage with a surface of the head 14 of the apparatus (via an attachment means), thus removably attaching the radial whisker 23 to the head.

In the shown (and labelled) example embodiment of Fig. 24, there is shown (transparented to represent that it is on an opposing hidden side of the radial whisker 23 from perspective of the drawing) three Velcro (or the like) strips 620. (Velcro here is a term used in the layman's understanding of the term, which includes any hook and loop system or the like (such as hook and hook, loop and loop, etc, and any such like).

There is also shown on the head 14 of the apparatus 10 (not dashed in Part B as they are viewable from perspective of the Figure view when the radial whisker 23 is removed) three corresponding Velcro (or the such like as aforementioned) strips 622. Intent is that the three Velcro (or the like) strips 620 of the attaching engagement surface 618 of the radial whisker 23 mate with the three Velcro strips 622 on the head 14 of the apparatus 10, thus securing the radial whisker removably attachably.

Three strips are given by way of example only- there may be one, or any number of Velcro (and the like) element(s). Similarly, Velcro (and the like) is given by way of example only as an attachment means for attaching the radial whisker 23.

Any attachment means under the sun may be provided for attaching the radial whiskers 23 removably attachably to the head 14.

One possible benefit of such a Velcro (and the like) attachment means as shown in Fig. 24 is that it may be possible to use curvature of the head 14 of the apparatus 10 (ie curvature of the attachment surface of the head for engaging with the attaching engagement surface 618 of the radial whisker 23) to curve the radial whisker 23 into its familiar outwardly projecting shape. Thus a 'cut' of material such as that seen in Part A of Fig. 27 may be attached to the head 14 of the apparatus 10 via its attaching engagement surface 618, and if the attachment surface of the head 14 is curved, (and if the engagement surface 618 of the radial whisker is curvable), it may facilitate curving of the radial whisker 23 from an unengaged substantially square or rectangular shape (as seen in Part A of Fig. 27, into a more radial shape as seen in a plurality of the Figures (and as seen in Part B of Fig. 27).

The attachment surface of the head 14 in Fig. 24 comprises Velcro (or the like) securing elements.

Such curving of the radial whisker 23 can be achieved in various ways, and is not limited to being achieved via Velcro (and the like). Similarly, the radial whisker 23 may be provided correctly pre-shaped (for use), so that it does not require shaping in such a way via attachment, and may, or may not comprise a spine element, which spine element may, or may not, play a part in forming shape of the radial whisker 23.

It may be beneficial for the radial whisker to have structural element(s)/adaptation, which may be beneficial for any number of reasons. Thus there is shown in Figs. 25, 26, 28 various forms of ribbing. Preferably, if ribbing is provided, the ribbing is internal to the radial whisker 23, but ribbing may feasibly be external (or both internal and external).

Thus there is shown in Fig. 25 (in a substantially transparented view of an embodiment of a radial whisker 23) a form of ribbing whereby the ribbing is substantially horizontal internally to the radial whisker 23, and is curved in a substantially rainbow shape internally in the radial whisker 23 (which is just one embodiment of ribbing) to match the radial curvature of the radial whisker 23.

In Part A of Fig. 25, there is shown just one substantially horizontal internal ribbing element 624. It can be seen in the example embodiment, that the horizontal ribbing element 624 may be shaped to form a horizontal ribbing layer inside the radial whisker 23. In Part B of Fig. 25, an embodiment is shown wherein there are provided a plurality of such internal substantially horizontal (and preferably substantially rainbow shaped) ribbing layers of ribbing elements 625. (In Part B, the ribbing elements 624 are not shaded across a whole surface of each ribbing element 624 and only an outline of the ribbing element 624 is drawn in order to show with more clarity the number of ribbing elements 624 that may be provided).

Nevertheless, the or a ribbing element 624 may be provided in such a way, where it comprises a perimeter, rather than a whole ribbing layer.

The ribbing element(s) 624 preferably have more structural strength than the rest of the radial whisker 23. This may potentially be beneficial. It may potentially allow the radial whisker to retain shape more readily. It may potentially facilitate the radial whisker 23 in gaining access to hard-to-get-to locations, such as a corner 214 of a toe-kick 210.

In the shown embodiments of Figs. 25, 26, and 28, there is shown for each radial whisker 23 an engaging (preferably radial, and preferably substantially flat, curved) surface 608, a front surface 610, a back surface 612, a substantially downward facing surface 614, a substantially inner side surface 616, and an attaching engagement surface 618 (as labelled in Part B of Fig. 24).

In Fig. 26, there is shown an example of internal ribbing where there is provided a substantially vertical internal ribbing element (Part A). In Part B, there is shown an embodiment having many such substantially vertical ribbing elements. (Note how terms 'horizontal' and 'vertical' are intended with reference to orientation of the attaching engagement surface 618 of the radial whisker 23. Thus the vertical ribbing elements 624 of Fig. 26 radiate in orientation away from the attaching engagement surface 618 in a substantially vertical manner.

In Fig. 27, there is shown an embodiment of the radial whisker 23 where it is provided in a non-pre-shaped manner. In Part A, the radial whisker is simply a substantially rectangular (or square) 'cut'. The radial whisker, in this state, may feasibly comprise foam, be foam wrapped in cloth, micro-fibre, or the like, etc or any material. Intent is that the 'cut' can be attached to the head 14 of the apparatus in such a way that it curves the 'cut' into the familiar radial shape as seen in Part B of Fig. 27 (and a plurality of the other Figures).

In this embodiment, the radial whisker is shown in transparented manner (or what could be seen as a cross-sectional manner), having substantially vertically oriented ribbing. The ribbing may be useful or important in facilitating correct shape of the radial whisker when the engaging surface 618 is curved (as seen in Part B). It may also help the radial whisker engage more surfaces, or engage surfaces more successfully for cleaning.

There may be provided an added top portion 131 (for example on top of that which is shown in Parts A and B of Fig. 27). Having a top portion 131 on such an embodiment may prevent the ribbing from interfering with cleaning of surfaces to be engaged. Again, the ribbing may form ribbing layers, or may simply comprise a ribbing perimeter, not forming a whole layer.

Ribbing may come in any shape and/or form, and may be internal, or external, or both. One possible intent of ribbing is to add structural strength to the radial whisker, which may be particularly useful if the radial whisker comprises a brush element that does not have particularly good structural fortitude.

It may be challenging (in certain embodiments) to engage and therefore clean areas such as a corner 214 of a toe kick 210, due to a fact that, in some embodiments of a radial whisker, (particularly ones that do not comprise resiliently flexible bristles), the whisker may be deformed in such a way that it is challenging for the top engaging surface of the whisker to get into the corner of the toe kick (or any other challenging area).

One plausible solution for this is shown in Fig. 28, provided by way of a ribbing element 624. In the shown embodiment, the ribbing element is a significantly sized ribbing element. In the shown embodiment, the ribbing element 624 extends substantially vertically, centrally through the radial whisker 23.

In Part A, the radial whisker is in a regular shape, as if it is not engaging a surface to be cleaner. In Part B, the radial whisker is shown fairly significantly deformed on an above portion 626, above the ribbing element 624, and a below portion 628, below the ribbing element 624. However, due to structural integrity provided by way of the ribbing element 624, the central part of the radial whisker (as well as the central part of the engagement surface 608) is not deformed, and is projecting as normal. Such structural integrity provided by way of a ribbing element (or any other means) may facilitate engagement with a corner 214 of a toe kick, and other tough-to-reach surfaces.

The or any ribbing element 624 may meet, and/or may be attached to the spine element of the radial whisker 23.

An alternate solution(s) is shown in Fig. 29. Thus there is shown two possible example solutions in Part A and Part B of Fig. 29. In Part A, the top engaging surface 608 of the radial whisker 23 comprises at least one (and more particularly a plurality) of peaks 630. The peaks 630 are shown in a potentially exaggerated and basic manner. The peaks 630 may each be resilient so that, if one (or any) are deflected, any other peak 630 may remain erect. This may allow one or many of the peaks to get access to, engage, and clean a corner 214 of a toe kick 210 (or any other hard-to-access area). It may also improve overall cleaning due to increased surface area of the engaging surface 608 of the cleaning element.

Like any part of the radial whisker 23, the peak(s) 630 may comprise any brush element. For example, they may comprise foam, cloth, micro-fibre, etc, etc.

There is shown in Part B, an example embodiment of a radial whisker 23 having a spike 632. The spike 632, in the shown embodiment, protrudes from the engaging surface 608 of the radial whisker 23, and may be useful in gaining access to, and engaging, a corner 214 of a toe kick 210 (or any other location).

It is possible that, if the below portion of the radial whisker below the spike 632 is deformed, the spike 632 will angle downwardly (inside a toe kick 210, for example). But when the spike 632 engages the side surface 216 of the toe kick 210, it may then, due to angle of its face (and/or shape of the spike 632) rear up into the corner 214 of the toe kick 210, thus engaging and cleaning it.

Similarly, if the above portion of the radial whisker on an inner side of (above base of) the spike engages and is deformed by the top surface 218 of the toe kick 210, the spike 632 may rear up. But when the spike 632 engages the top surface 218 of the toe kick 210, it may then, due to angle of its face (and/or shape of the spike 632) angle back down into the corner 214 of the toe kick 210, thus engaging and cleaning it.

Part C of Fig. 29 shows an example embodiment of the radial whisker 23 where the radial whisker comprises layers 634. Whereas 'layers' before was remarked upon with reference to ribbing, now, in Part C, an example is shown wherein the radial whisker 23 may comprise layers of material and/or brush element. For example, the radial whisker 23 may comprise a plurality of layers of cloth-like material. Layered in such a manner (or layered in any manner/configuration), (shown layered in a rainbow-shaped curve, matching the curvature of the attaching engaging surface 618 in the shown example), may add structural strength and/or resilience to the cleaning element. Just as how two socks, when folded inwards into each other, form a more structurally sound 'roll' (as opposed to an unfolded sock, which has almost no strength and/or resiliency at all), so layering may aid integrity of the radial whisker 23, and may feasibly help engage challenging areas, whilst retaining ability of the radial whisker to return to its original shape and position when engagement with a surface ceases.

In Part C, an optional outer covering 636 is shown, which may, for example, comprise a cloth surface, micro-fibre surface, or any other brush element. The cross sectional view reveals, in the shown embodiment, an engagement surface covering portion 638, a downward surface covering portion 642, and an inner surface covering portion 640, but any or all surfaces of the radial whisker may be covered in such a way. The attaching engagement surface 618 of the radial whisker may (or may not) have a covering surface.

In the shown example embodiments of Figs 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 (and any other embodiments), the radial whisker may comprise a spine element.

It is feasible the spine element may be curved. For example, the spine element may be a curved base plate. In such an embodiment, similar to how the radial whisker is shown curved via engagement with the head attachment surface of the apparatus in Fig. 24 (where the attachment means comprises a Velcro (or the like) securing solution), so the spine element (which may be a curved base plate) may curve the radial whisker into its familiar (and preferred) shape, the spine element thus playing a part in shaping the radial whisker.

It is feasible in such an embodiment that a reverse surface of the spine element (which may be a curved base plate) may be, or may not be similarly curved. Thus it is feasible the reverse side of the spine element may not be similarly curved, and may be of any shape. Thus the reverse side of the spine element may be, for example, squared in shape (or any other shape), which may make attachment to the head of the apparatus easier (and may make the head of the apparatus easier to manufacture, and may not require the head of the apparatus be curved to receive the radial whisker. (This may be the case for any embodiment of a spine element, whether curved, or not. For example, the spine element may be straight).

Such a spine element (or any spine element) may feasibly fit or lock into place onto the head. In such an embodiment, it is feasible the attachment means comprises a clipping mechanism. The spine element may clip or lock into a cavity on the head of the apparatus, thus attaching the radial whisker.

It is feasible a clipping mechanism is provided as attachment means. For example, a curved base plate (or any spine element) of the radial whisker may clip into place on the head of the apparatus.

In an alternate embodiment of the radial whisker 23, it is feasible the radial whisker comprises a plurality of resiliently flexible elements (which may be bristle elements), which elements (which may be bristles) may be coated (ie covered in) a brush element. Such a brush element may, for example, be cloth type material, or micro-fibre type material, or any other material.

Thus, it is feasible the radial whisker may comprise a plurality of relatively strong resiliently flexible bristles (for example, strong plastic bristles, or wire bristles), which may each be coated in a brush element such as cloth, so that the radial whisker gains the benefit of the resilient flexibility of the resilient (bristle) elements (such as resilient flexibility as shown in Fig. 23), along with the benefit of the cleaning effectiveness of a cloth type brush element (or any other brush element).

It is feasible in such an embodiment the radial whisker comprises just one large resilient element so covered. Preferably it comprises a significant plurality of such elements in such an example embodiment, with the resilient elements preferably being bristle elements, which may thus form a 'mop-type' appearance for the radial whisker. Such bristle elements (or any such resilient element) may be partially or fully covered with brush element.

Referring to Fig. 30, there are provided two embodiments where the engaging surface 608 of the radial whiskers (for engaging a surface to be cleaned) is broken up into parts. In Part A, three substantially squared segments 644 are shown (the rest of the engaging surface 608 is not shown segmented, although a whole of the engaging surface 608 may feasibly be segmented in such a way, comprising segments across its whole surface. (Only three segments are shown for representation purposes- preferably in the shown example embodiment, a whole of the engagement surface 608 is segmented in such a way).

The segments 644 are shown substantially square in shape (although they may be any shape). The segments 644 have a descending portion 646 which descends into the cleaning element. It is feasible the segments 644 descend alia way to the base of the radial whisker (where they may be held by a spine element). In a preferred embodiment, as shown, the segments only comprise the top portion 131 of the radial whisker 23. There may thus be provided a base portion (which is preferably a stabilizing element 131), and may be foam, or any other material).

One of the intents of the segmentation is so that, whilst any one segment 644 may be displaced on engaging a surface, other segments 644 may not be displaced. Thus, rather than displacement of any one part of the radial whisker precluding the radial whisker from accessing and engaging tough-to-reach surfaces (such as a corner 214 of a toe kick 210), because the segments 644 are independent to a certain degree, it is feasible one or more segments 644 may nevertheless gain access to and engage a tough-to-reach surface irrespective of displacement of other segments 644.

The segments 644 may comprise (or be) a resilient element, which resilient element may feasibly be covered in a brush element. The segments 644 may simply comprise a brush element alone (such as a cloth-like material. If a stabilizing member is provided, it may stabilize such an embodiment where the segments 644 simply comprise a cloth-type material or the like.

The segments 644 may slightly 'splay' creating slight gaps between the segments 644 at the engaging surface 608 of the cleaning element 23. This may create added surface area for cleaning.

In Part B of Fig. 30, an alternate embodiment is shown where, in a preferred embodiment, the radial whisker comprises elongate resiliently erect elements 648. In the shown example embodiment, the resiliently erect elements 648 descend substantially to a base of the radial whisker 23, where they may feasibly meet with (and may be attached or form part of) a spine element. However, they may simply occupy a top portion 131 of the radial whisker 23.

(For artistic purposes, only a small portion of the radial whisker is shown occupied by the elongate resiliently erect elements. However, in such an embodiment featuring elongate resiliently erect elements 648, preferably a whole of the radial whisker surface (and body) is composed of the elongate resiliently erect elements 648. Thus the radial whisker may take on a substantially mop-like appearance).

Preferably the resiliently erect elements 648 comprise an inner resiliently flexible element (which may be a resilient wire, bristle, etc) and also comprise a brush element that covers the resilient element, which brush element may, for example, be a cloth-like material (or micro-fibre, etc. Thus the radial whisker 23 gains the benefit of the resilient displaceability of the inner resilient element(s), and the cleaning effectiveness of a brush element which is more fine in nature.

In such an embodiment, the brush element may wholly or partially cover the inner resilient element. In such an embodiment, the resiliently erect elements 648 may radiate at a plurality of angles from a spine element (if the radial whisker comprises a spine element).

The brush element covering may make the elongate resiliently erect elements 648 soft to the touch, but independently resiliently flexible. This may be extremely beneficial in accessing and engaging tough-to-reach surfaces such as a corner 214 of a toe kick 210.

With regards to any embodiment, the radial whiskers 23 may be (substantially) spheroidal, and may have a densely packed surface for maximum engagement with a surface to be cleaned.

It is well-known that there is a significant amount of art in the field of brooms, brushes, etc. However, the present invention is thought to be particularly inventive for (kitchen) floor steaming apparatuses and wand head (canister) vacuum cleaners; for wand head vacuums, the dexterity of the head (which can easily be manipulated by a user), allied to the power of a downward facing suction element gives the radial whiskers a vast amount of potential cleaning surfaces to clean; the wand head can be manipulated so that, on top of surfaces the radial whiskers engage as the wand head is passed over a ground surface, the radial whiskers can be dextrously and intentionally applied to surfaces, in houses (for example) where brooms have little or no cleaning value, where vacuuming is essential for thorough (carpet) cleaning.

A broom, for example, cannot be used to clean floors of a house which are carpeted. Radial whiskers for a wand head vacuum cleaner in such a situation allows the user to clean a vast amount of skirting boards and tops of skirting boards, under furniture items, as well as many other places.

Similarly, (kitchen) floor steamers have particular use for such a modification as they tend to steam clean kitchen floors that have toe kicks. Thus radial whiskers may be particularly beneficial for floor cleaning apparatuses that have steam or suction downward facing cleaning elements.

It is feasible the radial whiskers may be substantially curved at its edges and not so squarely shown as shown in the Figures. Nevertheless, although differentiation between each surface of the radial whisker may be less clear, it may still comprise any or all of: an engaging (preferably radially curved, and preferably densely packed) surface 608; a front surface 610; a back surface 612; a substantially downward facing surface 614; a substantially inner side surface 616; and an attaching engagement surface 618.

All features described and/or included and/or found with reference to a radial whisker cleaning element may be claimed in claims that claim a cleaning element of any sort, shape, etc.

There may be provided a user placement guidance system to facilitate user in attaching the radial whisker in a correct position on the head of the apparatus. A placement guidance system may be as simple as line(s) or annotation(s) on the head of the apparatus to denote to a user where to attach the radial whiskers.

Such line(s) and/or annotation(s) may define a head attachment area where the radial whiskers should be attached, thus aiding the user in attaching the radial whiskers in the right place.

The term 'system' with reference to 'user placement guidance system' is a definition for any solution under the Sun for helping a user place the radial whiskers 23 correctly on the head 14 of the apparatus 10.

Referring again to the or any spine element, the spine element (which may be, for example, a base plate) may be curved to match curvature of the head of the apparatus where it is attached to. In a more broad sense, the spine element (which may be a base plate) may be shaped and/or dimensioned to match engagement surface of the head of the apparatus to which it is removably attachable.

With reference to a robotic version of the apparatus, preferably the robotic device comprises a radial whisker or circumferential radial wing on each lateral side of the head of the device with reference to forward direction of the robotic device. Thus the device is preferably configured to move forward in a direction, wherein the device comprises radial whiskers or circumferential radial wings on each lateral side of the head with reference to forward direction. This may feasibly require any of: telemetry (which may be on-board telemetry); electronics (which is a broad term for any electronic element(s), such as, for example, but not limited to, chip(s)); and/or programming (which may include coding, electronic coding, and the like). Thus the robotic device may comprise any of these elements/features.

The following disclosure is also herein included in the present application:

1. A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a head, the head having a downward facing cleaning element for cleaning of a ground surface;

a left lateral radial whisker about a left lateral side of the head; and a right lateral radial whisker about a right lateral side of the head;

wherein at least a portion or a whole of each radial whisker is removably attachable.

2. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in clause 1, wherein the radial whiskers are the only upward or sideways cleaning elements about the head of the apparatus.

3. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in clause 1, wherein the radial whiskers are substantially the only upward or sideways cleaning elements about the head of the apparatus.

4. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in clause 1, wherein the radial whiskers protrude from the head of the apparatus in a whisker-like fashion, as whiskers extend from a side of a face.

5. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the radial whiskers comprise a removably attachable top portion.

6. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the radial whiskers comprise a stabilizing member.

7. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the radial whiskers comprise a brush element.

8. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in clause 7, wherein the brush element comprises at least one of:

foam;

sponge.

9. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in clause 7, wherein the brush element comprises an engaging portion for engaging a surface, the engaging portion comprising at least one of:

cloth;

micro-fibre.

10. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the radial whiskers comprise a machine-washable material so that at least a portion or a whole of the radial whiskers can be removed, washed, and reattached when washed.

11. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the radial whiskers are layered.

12. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the radial whiskers comprise ribbing.

13. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the radial whiskers comprise a spike.

14. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the radial whiskers comprise raised peaks.

15. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the radial whiskers comprise a spine element.

16. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in clause 15, wherein the spine element is at least one of:

a flexible spine;

a rigid spine;

a curved rigid spine;

a base plate;

a curved base plate;

a foam spine.

17. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein there is provided attachment means for attaching the radial whiskers removably attachably.

18. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in clause 17, wherein curvature of the head is used to facilitate curvature of the radial whiskers when attached.

19. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in clause 17 or clause 18, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one of:

a clipping mechanism;

a Velcro-type, hook and loop-type, solution.

20. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein there is provided a user placement guidance system to help user place the radial whiskers in a correct position on or about the head of the apparatus.

21. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the apparatus is a robotic device.

22. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in clause 21, wherein the robotic device is configured to move forward in a direction, wherein the device comprises radial whiskers or circumferential radial wings on each lateral side of the head with reference to forward direction.

23. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in clause 22, wherein the robotic device comprises at least one of:

telemetry;

electronics;

programming;

to achieve this.

24. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the radial whiskers extend laterally outside a perimeter of the head.

25. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of clauses 1 to 23, wherein the radial whiskers are positioned inside a perimeter of the head and do not extend outside the perimeter of the head.

27. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the floor cleaning apparatus is a wand head vacuum cleaner, and the downward facing cleaning element for cleaning of a ground surface comprises a suction element.

28. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the floor cleaning apparatus is a floor steamer apparatus, and the downward facing cleaning element for cleaning of a ground surface comprises a floor steamer element.

29. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in clause 28, wherein the floor steaming apparatus comprises a removably attachable handheld steamer unit, usable when removed to steam surfaces thus facilitating more effective cleaning with the radial whiskers.

30. A floor cleaning apparatus as defined in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the apparatus further comprises a handle for holding.

Claims

1. A floor steam cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a head;

a steamer element to facilitate steam cleaning of a ground surface via the head; and a removably attachable cleaning element, wherein the removably attachable cleaning element comprises:

a left brushing portion for a left side of the head; and a right brushing portion for a right side of the head;

without a central brushing portion.

2. A floor steam cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left brushing portion of the cleaning element extends further left than the left side of the head, and the right brushing portion of the cleaning element extends further right than the right side of the head.

3. A floor steam cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cleaning element is of a shape and position such that:

the left brushing portion, at its highest point, is higher than a top surface of the head; and the right brushing portion, at its highest point, is higher than the top surface of the head.

4. A floor steam cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cleaning element is of a shape and position such that:

the left brushing portion, at its highest point further left than the left side of the head, is higher than the left side of the head; and the right brushing portion, at its highest point further right than the right side of the head, is higher than the right side of the head.

5. A floor steam cleaning apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus comprises a handle for holding.